Photos: Visit the Treasure Coast's underwater world of fish, other species

SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
Sea urchins, such as this one found near Pepper Park Beach, are a very common site on the reefs along the Treasure Coast. Their spines, which serve as a deterrent to would-be predators, should be avoided as they can easily pierce both skin and wetsuits.

SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
A small school of bar jacks swim over a large, algae covered ledge at Pepper Park Beach in Fort Pierce. The park is a popular spot for diving.

SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
A school of spadefish, a common catch of fishermen, swim down the edge of the reef near Pepper Park Beach. Other species highly sought by fishermen, including grouper, snapper and snook, often are found along the reef.

SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
A nurse shark, measuring nearly six feet, rests near a rock at Pepper Park Beach in Fort Pierce. Nurse sharks feed primarily on crustaceans, mollusks and small fish and are one of the few species of shark that doesn't need to constantly swim to survive.

SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS
A spotted scorpionfish is camouflaged as it rests along the edge of a rock. Blending in with its surrounding not only helps protect it from predators, but also is beneficial when feeding on an unsuspecting fish or crustacean that passes by.

Mere yards from the beach and just a few feet below the surface of the ocean, an underwater world of fish and other aquatic species call the shallow, nearshore reefs of the Treasure Coast home.

The reefs, made of limestone and worm rock, make up the home of a variety of fish and invertebrates.

Smaller species such as damsels, tangs, blennies and schooling baitfish use the jagged, irregularly-shaped structure as protection to evade predators like grouper, snapper and sharks that also live along the shore. Even sea turtles frequently can be found napping underneath the large stone ledges where spiny lobster make their home.

On summer days when the seas are calm and the water is clear, getting a closer look at the colorful sealife along the reef is as simple as strapping on a pair of fins, a mask and snorkel and making a short swim out to the reef.